As someone in sequence 001, I also want to give up today.

It was exactly six o'clock in the morning.

When the "Abyss Echo" was still a thousand kilometers away from the eastern waters of the island nation, seventeen countries, including China, the Western Alliance, and the Arctic Federation, issued a joint statement almost simultaneously.

The title of the statement is simple and direct: "Joint Announcement Regarding Anomalous Phenomena in the Pacific Ocean and the Existence of Supernatural Beings".

The content is longer, but the core information consists of only a few points:

I. Confirm the existence of the special group of "superhumans", defined as "humans who awaken special abilities due to genetic mutation or unknown reasons".

Second, the existence of "strange beasts" is confirmed, defined as "creatures that have mutated due to the influence of unknown energy, possessing great destructive power and threatening human safety."

3. A super-sized monster called "Abyssal Echo" has appeared in the Mariana Trench region of the Pacific Ocean. The threat level is assessed as SS (the highest on record), and it is currently moving in a northwest direction.

IV. Major global supernatural ability organizations have formed a joint expeditionary force to conduct interception operations in the high seas of the Pacific Ocean.

Fifth, we urge coastal countries to activate emergency plans and evacuate potentially affected populations.

The statement included satellite imagery and energy reading charts of "Abyssal Echoes"—of course, a processed version designed to avoid causing excessive panic. There was also a 30-second video clip showing S-class superhumans from various countries gathering, boarding planes, and departing.

Within ten minutes of the announcement, the global internet was completely paralyzed.

It wasn't an attack; the traffic exceeded the capacity of all servers. Social media, news websites, video platforms... everywhere you could get information was packed with people.

The hashtags #SuperpoweredPersonalityReal#, #SSClassBeast#, #AbyssEchoes#, and #Doomsday# are being updated millions of times per second.

Panic spread like a plague.

But it only spread for... about two hours.

Because the response speed of governments around the world far exceeded expectations.

At 8:00 AM, all television stations, radio stations, and news apps across China switched to a special live broadcast. The host was not the usual news anchor, but a spokesperson from the General Administration of Radio, Film and Television dressed in military uniform.

"Fellow countrymen, this is Zhao Tianming, spokesperson for the China Supernatural Abilities Bureau." The middle-aged man on the screen had a serious expression but a calm tone. "I know you have many questions and a lot of panic. Please calm down and listen to me."

"Superpowered individuals didn't appear out of nowhere. They've always existed, silently protecting this world. Over the past few decades, they've been behind every 'natural disaster' and every 'accident'."

They are ordinary people too, with families, jobs, and joys and sorrows. The only difference is that they have an added responsibility.

"These strange beasts aren't new. From the East China Sea tsunami thirty years ago, to the abnormal weather in the Pacific Ocean ten years ago, and the recent spate of 'strange phenomena' in various places, all these are signs of strange beast activity. And each time, it's always the superhumans who are at the forefront."

"This time, the situation is indeed more serious. The threat level of 'Echoes of the Abyss' is unprecedented. But please believe me, we are not unprepared."

The screen switches to a world map, which shows the number of S-class superhumans sent by each country.

China: 7 people.

Western Alliance: 4 people.

Arctic Federation: 1 person (Director Yuri), plus the "Ice Wolf" squad (all A-rank).

Island nation: 2 people (Kamikaze unit).

There were also thirteen other countries that sent a total of nine S-level personnel and more than fifty A-level personnel.

"This is the first time in human history that superhumans have joined forces globally," the spokesperson said firmly. "We have assembled our most elite forces to intercept 'Abyssal Echoes' on the high seas. Our goal is to stop it from entering human settlements at all costs."

"Now, please remain calm and continue with your normal lives. Government departments at all levels have activated emergency plans and will notify you of evacuation if necessary. Please have faith in our superhumans, faith in our country, and faith in the power of human unity."

The live stream lasted for forty-five minutes, during which more than a dozen pre-prepared questions were answered.

The results... were surprisingly good.

The panic hadn't completely subsided, but it was at least kept within acceptable limits. People began discussing the abilities of the superhumans, the types of monsters, and the odds of winning the battle…

The biggest change is that people with superpowers have gone from being "urban legends" to "realities".

People started digging up old "paranormal videos" and "sightings of superpowers," and found that many of them were true.

That one that can fly? It might be a wind-type ability user.

The one with flames coming out of its hands? It might be a fire-type ability user.

The one who punched through the wall? He might be a strength-based ability user.

The world is still the same world, but people's understanding of it has been completely refreshed overnight.

---

Jiangcheng, Li Xian's apartment.

At nine o'clock in the morning, Li Xian lay sprawled on the sofa, watching a special live broadcast on TV.

Fat Orange lay beside his legs, also staring at the screen.

"Brother, did you see it?" Li Yu rushed out of the room, her face pale. "That...that announcement."

"I saw it." Li Xian didn't even look up. "So you're a superhuman?"

Li Yu froze.

"I...I'm not..."

"Stop pretending." Li Xian finally turned to look at her. "You've been going on 'school activities' every day lately, making secret phone calls in the middle of the night, and... I've sensed that energy fluctuation around you for a while now."

Li Yu opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word.

"Chen Zhe too, right?" Li Xian continued, "You both are. So that time at the hot pot restaurant, his fingers coming out of flame wasn't magic?"

"...Yes." Li Yu lowered her head. "I'm sorry, brother, for keeping it from you."

"What's there to apologize for?" Li Xian looked back at the television. "Everyone has their own secrets. I know you didn't tell me because you were afraid I'd worry."

Li Yu's eyes reddened.

"However," Li Xian paused, "that SS-rank... are you going too?"

"No." Li Yu shook her head. "The General Administration said that Chen Zhe and I are too young and inexperienced, so they didn't select us this time. We were assigned to stay in Jiangcheng to monitor any potential secondary alien beasts."

"That's good." Li Xian nodded. "Let the old guys handle those big guys."

"But..." Li Yu bit her lip, "Among those people who went, there were seniors I knew. 002 Lilith, 003 Hyotei, 028 Wind Whisperer... They are all very good people."

"They will come back," Li Xian said.

How did you know?

"Because they have to come back." Li Xian picked up the remote and changed the channel. "Otherwise, who will pay my sister's salary? Who will pay your tuition?"

Li Yu paused for a moment, then laughed, and as she laughed, tears began to fall.

"Silly girl." Li Xian handed her a tissue. "Don't cry, watch TV. It's going to be broadcast live soon."

On television, the special live broadcast has switched to footage from the front lines.

It was the deck of a destroyer, and the camera was shaky. The background was the vast Pacific Ocean, the sky was overcast, and the waves were surging.

Seven figures stood at the front of the deck.

Lilith was still holding the book, but now it was open, and the pages were rustling in the wind.

Hyotei stood beside her, his white hair fluttering in the wind, radiating a visible chill.

The Wind Whisperer held up a silk fan, the hem of her cheongsam fluttering gently in the wind.

Aquaman took off his floral shirt and put on a dark blue combat suit, his eyes sharp as knives.

The ice and fire man toyed with a leaping flame in his hand, his expression as relaxed as if he were on a picnic.

Mount Tai stood silently, the deck beneath his feet slightly concave.

Mingren... Mingren hid at the very back, muttering to himself as if he were praying.

"This is the East China Sea frontline base." A voiceover announced, "The Chinese Expeditionary Force has arrived at the designated sea area, approximately 300 kilometers from the current location of 'Abyssal Echoes.' Support from the Western Alliance and the Arctic Federation is on its way and is expected to meet up in an hour."

"According to the latest data, the energy reading of 'Abyssal Echo' is still rising. Its movement speed has reached 350 kilometers per hour, and it is expected to enter the attack range in three hours."

The camera zooms out to reveal a tactical map.

A scarlet dot of light is moving rapidly, and a dozen or so blue dots of light are approaching it.

"The world's eyes are on this moment," the voice-over says. "This is the most powerful battle ever between humans and monsters."

Li Yu clenched her fists.

Li Xian remained slumped on the sofa, but his gaze was more serious than usual.

Fat Orange raised its head, its heterochromatic eyes fixed on the screen, its ears twitching slightly.

"Meow..." (Translation: That thing... is scary.)

Li Xian couldn't understand, but he could sense the cat's unease.

He reached out and scratched Fatty Orange's chin.

"It's alright," he said. "Even if the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up."

---

Pacific Ocean, Expeditionary destroyer.

"Three hours left." Neptune looked at the tactical map. "Why haven't those Western Alliance guys arrived yet?"

"Their plane encountered turbulence and was delayed," the Windtalker said softly. "But they should make it in time."

"What about the island nation's 'Kamikaze' units?" Ice and Fire Man asked.

"They're already on standby fifty kilometers away." Taishan opened his eyes. "They sent a message saying they're willing to follow our orders."

"That's quite sensible." Lilith closed the book. "So, is the battle plan finalized?"

"It's confirmed." Hyotei walked to the edge of the deck, looking at the distant sea. "The first probing attack will be handled by Lilith and me. The five of you will provide support from the sidelines and observe its reaction."

"That's too risky," Mingren said softly. "You two are the main force, what if..."

"There's no 'what if'," Lilith said. "If even we can't find its weakness, then anyone else going there will just be throwing their lives away."

"But--"

"Akito," Hyotei turned to look at him, "how wide a range does your 'Absolute Defense' cover?"

"At full power... the radius is fifty meters," Mingren said, "but it can only be maintained for thirty seconds."

"That's enough." Hyotei nodded. "While Lilith and I attack, you'll protect the others. Thirty seconds is enough for us to test the waters."

Akito wanted to say something more, but seeing Hyotei's cold gaze, he swallowed his words.

"Then it's settled." Neptune clapped his hands. "Wind Whisper, could you please adjust the weather to create a favorable environment for us?"

"It's already underway," the Wind Whisperer smiled. "In three hours, there will be heavy fog in this area. Visibility will be less than one hundred meters."

"Dense fog?" The ice-and-fire man frowned. "Isn't that disadvantageous for us too?"

“But it’s even more disadvantageous for us,” Lilith said. “In the fog, we’re smaller and harder to target. And it… it’s such a big blob, there’s no way it can hide.”

That makes sense.

With the battle plan finalized, everyone began their preparations.

Lilith returned to her cabin and continued reading—but this time, she looked at a photograph tucked inside. The photograph showed several children laughing happily in the snow of northern Xinjiang.

Hyotei stood on the deck, conjuring a long ice crystal spear in his hand, which he carefully polished.

The Wind Whisperer stood at the highest point of the bridge, gently waving his silk fan, and the sea breeze began to change direction.

Aquaman jumps into the sea and disappears into the waves—he can exert his greatest strength underwater.

The Ice and Fire Man inspected his equipment, each a specially made metal sphere containing compressed flames and cold air.

Taishan closed his eyes and regulated his breathing, and the surrounding gravitational field fluctuated in strength.

The Ming man... The Ming man hid in the cabin and kowtowed to a small statue of a deity.

Time passed second by second.

At 11:00 AM, the energy reading of "Abyss Echoes" broke a new peak.

At 11:30 a.m., four S-class and fifteen A-class members of the Western Alliance arrived at the rendezvous point.

At 11:45 a.m., Director Yuri of the Arctic Federation and his "Ice Wolf" squad arrived.

At exactly 12 noon, the global live broadcast switched to an aerial perspective.

On the vast Pacific Ocean, a huge, dark blue geometric shape is slowly emerging from the sea.

It is larger than satellite images show—over two kilometers in diameter and five hundred meters in height. The flowing dark blue sheen on its surface moves like a living thing, occasionally rippling like waves.

Around it, the seawater is divided into two extremes: the area close to it boils and churns, with steam rising into the sky; while in the area a little further away, tiny ice crystals condense and float on the surface of the sea.

The boundary between extreme heat and extreme cold is so clear it's chilling.

"Target has entered visual range." The voiceover of the global live broadcast rang out, carrying a suppressed shock, "This is... the SS-class alien beast 'Abyssal Echo'."

The camera zooms in.

Suddenly, an eye opened on the surface of that thing.

It wasn't the eye of a living being, but a completely dark hole over a hundred meters in diameter. Deep within the hole, swirling starlight could be faintly seen, as if connecting to another universe.

That "eye" slowly rotated, sweeping across the fleet on the sea, across the reconnaissance planes in the sky, and across... everyone in the world watching the live broadcast.

An invisible pressure emanated from the screen.

Countless people felt a pang of fear at that moment.

Jiangcheng, Li Xian's apartment.

Li Xian sat up straight.

The fat orange cat's fur stood on end.

Li Yu's face turned pale, and she clenched her fists.

"This is... SS-rank," she murmured.

On television, that "eye" stared at the camera for three seconds, and then... slowly closed.

The next second, "Abyss Echoes" moved.

It's not moving, it's deforming.

Its enormous geometric form began to split and recombine, with countless dark blue tentacles extending from its surface. Each tentacle was hundreds of meters long, with a sharp, spear-like tip.

Its whiskers slowly rose, pointing towards the sky.

It points to...those tiny humans who are approaching it.

"The first round of contact," the voice-over says, "is about to begin."

Seven billion people around the world held their breath.